Tensioning device

ABSTRACT

A tensioning device includes a pair of opposing first surfaces defining a first wedge opening. The first surfaces are fixed relative to each other. The first wedge opening is shaped to releasably secure a first portion of a cord. A pair of opposing second surfaces defines a second wedge opening. The second surfaces are fixed relative to each other. The second wedge opening is spaced apart from the first wedge opening. The second wedge opening is shaped to releasably secure a second portion of the cord. A cord block defines a support surface spaced from the first and second wedge openings. The support surface is positioned to slidably support the cord between the first and second wedge openings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/050,274 filed on Feb. 3, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,636,986.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tensioning device, a tensioningsystem, and methods of using the tensioning device. Ropes are often usedto tie down loads, such as a tarp over a pickup truck bed. Ropes arealso used to secure items, such as a tent to a stake. Often, it isdifficult to get sufficient tension in the rope when simply tying it toa tie-down point. Therefore, it would be useful to have a device that iscapable of tensioning a rope. There are many rope tensioning devicescurrently available. However, existing devices have drawbacks, includinghaving complicated parts, being too expensive, or requiring knots to betied.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a tensioning device includes a pair of opposing firstsurfaces defining a first wedge opening. The first surfaces are fixedrelative to each other. The first wedge opening is shaped to releasablysecure a first portion of a cord. A pair of opposing second surfacesdefines a second wedge opening. The second surfaces are fixed relativeto each other. The second wedge opening is spaced apart from the firstwedge opening. The second wedge opening is shaped to releasably secure asecond portion of the cord. A cord block defines a support surfacespaced from the first and second wedge openings. The support surface ispositioned to slidably support the cord between the first and secondwedge openings.

In another aspect, a tensioning system includes a cord and a tensioningdevice. The tensioning device includes a pair of opposing first surfacesdefining a first wedge opening. The first surfaces are fixed relative toeach other. A pair of opposing second surfaces defines a second wedgeopening. The second surfaces are fixed relative to each other. Thesecond wedge opening is spaced apart from the first wedge opening. Acord block defines a support surface spaced from the first and secondwedge openings. A first portion of the cord is releasably secured in thefirst wedge opening and a second portion of the cord is releasablysecured in the second wedge opening. A third portion of the cord betweenthe first and second portions is sidably supported by the supportsurface of the cord block.

In another aspect, a method of tensioning a cord includes providing atensioning device including a pair of opposing first surfaces defining afirst wedge opening. The first surfaces are fixed relative to eachother. A pair of opposing second surfaces defines a second wedgeopening. The second surfaces are fixed relative to each other. Thesecond wedge opening is spaced apart from the first wedge opening. Acord block defines a support surface spaced from the first and secondwedge openings. A first portion of the cord is releasably secured in thefirst wedge opening. The cord is passed through a tie-down point. Thecord is tensioned by sliding the cord on the support surface of the cordblock. A second portion of the cord is releasably secured in the secondwedge opening. The first and second portions of the cord are positionedon opposite sides of the tie-down point.

The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of generalintroduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the followingclaims. The presently preferred embodiments, together with furtheradvantages, will be best understood by reference to the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a tensioning system.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the tensioning device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a step in one embodiment of a method of tensioning a cord.

FIG. 4 shows another step in one embodiment of a method of tensioning acord.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is described with reference to the drawings. Therelationship and functioning of the various elements of this inventionare better understood by the following detailed description. However,the embodiments of this invention as described below are by way ofexample only, and the invention is not limited to the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings.

The invention provides a tensioning device for adjusting the tension ona piece of cord. The term “cord” as used herein, includes any type ofelongated, relatively flexible object that can be used to secure anobject, including without limitation ropes, straps, thread, yarn, wires,webs, twine, and fibers, whether circular, oval, flat, rectangular, orany other shape in cross-section.

An embodiment of the tensioning device 10 attached to a piece of cord 20is shown in FIG. 1. The tensioning device 10 has a first wedge opening12. One end of the cord 20 is attached to the object being secured, suchas a portion of a tarp 30. A first portion 22 of cord is releasablysecured in the first wedge opening 12. A portion 28 of cord passesthrough a tie-down point 32, which could be, for example, a bracket or astake in the ground. The tensioning device 10 has a second wedge opening14. A second portion 24 of cord is secured in the second wedge opening14. Another portion 26 of cord between the tie-down point 32 and thesecond portion 24 of cord may be looped around a cord block 16. The term“block” as used herein means a member, or portion thereof, over or aboutwhich the cord passes when applying tension to the cord, and is notlimited to any particular shape or material.

On embodiment of the tensioning device 10 is shown in FIG. 2. Thetensioning device 10 may be constructed of any suitable material,including plastic, metal or wood. The tensioning device 10 includes apair of opposing first surfaces 42, 44 defining the first wedge opening12. The first surfaces 42, 44 are fixed relative to each other. Thefirst wedge opening 12 is shaped to releasably secure a first portion 22of cord. A pair of opposing second surfaces 46, 48 defines a secondwedge opening 14. The first and second surfaces 46, 48 are fixedrelative to each other. The second wedge opening 14 is spaced apart fromthe first wedge opening 12. The second wedge opening 14 is shaped toreleasably secure a second portion of cord. The cord block 16 defines asupport surface 50 spaced from the first and second wedge openings 12,14. The support surface 50 is positioned to slidably support the cordbetween the first and second wedge openings 12, 14.

A cross section along line A-A of the tensioning divide 10 adjacent thesecond wedge opening 14 is shown in FIG. 2A. A cross section along lineB-B of the tensioning device 10 adjacent the first wedge opening 12 isshown in FIG. 2B. In one embodiment, the maximum preferred radius ofcurvature of the cord block 16 across cross-section A-A is equal to halfthe thickness of the tensioning device 10 (i.e. the support surface 50has a semicircular cross-section). This shape allows the cord to slidefreely. In one embodiment, the surface 58 of the wedge opening 12 isgenerally flat across cross section B-B to provide the maximum grippingsurface for the cord. In one embodiment, the tensioning device 10 hasrelatively thin cross-section. In one embodiment, the tensioning device10 is between about 0.2 and about 0.5 inches thick. However, thetensioning device 10 may be less than 0.2 inches and greater than 0.5inches.

In one embodiment, the tensioning device 10 includes a first bodyportion 52, a second body portion 54, and a neck portion 56. The firstbody portion 52 defines the first wedge opening 12 and the second bodyportion 54 defines the second wedge opening 14. The first and secondbody portions 52, 54 are joined by the neck portion 56. The neck portion56 is adapted to support the cord between the first and second wedgeopenings 12, 14. The neck portion 56 allows the tensioning device 10 toattached to a piece of cord without untying the cord or having to tiethe cord to the tensioning device 10. In one embodiment, the length ofthe neck portion 56 is narrower than one dimension of the first bodyportion 52 so as to provide a surface to support a loop of the cordaround the neck portion 56. In one embodiment, the second body portion54 further includes the cord block 16.

In one embodiment, the cord block 16 is defined by a first hook 62. Thefirst hook 62 is disposed laterally from the second body portion 54 andextends towards, and defines an opening facing, the first body portion52. The first hook 62 allows the cord to slide along the support surface50 but limits lateral movement. In one embodiment, the second wedgeopening 14 is defined by a second hook 64. In one embodiment, the secondwedge opening 14 is generally V-shaped, with the second hook 64 taperingaway from the second body portion 54. The second wedge opening 14 isadapted to secure a portion of cord between the second hook 64 and thesecond body portion 54. In one embodiment, the first and second hooks62, 64 are disposed on opposite sides of the second body portion 54. Inone embodiment, the first and second hooks 62, 64 have first and secondmouths 66, 68 opening in the same general direction.

In one embodiment, one or both of the opposing second surfaces of thesecond wedge opening 14 has gripping members 70 formed thereon. Thegripping members 70 may be any structure suitable for securing a cordbetween the second surfaces. In one embodiment, the gripping members 70are teeth or barbs which are adapted to grip the cord. In oneembodiment, the teeth are angled downwardly away from the mouth 68.

In one embodiment, the first body portion 52 includes a closed aperture76 defined in part by the first wedge opening 12 and further defined inpart by a support surface 72 opposite the first wedge opening 12. Thesupport surface 72 is adapted to support a portion of cord. In oneembodiment, the support surface 72 has a semicircular shape, and thefirst wedge opening 12 has a tapered shape. The closed aperture 76 isadapted to allow a loop 80 of cord to be inserted through the aperture76, passed over the second body portion 54 and disposed around the neckof the tensioning device 10.

In one embodiment, the second body portion 54 includes a second supportsurface 74 formed on the second body portion 54 and facing a directionopposite the direction of the openings of the first and second mouths66, 68. The second support surface 74 is adapted to slidably support aportion of cord. In one embodiment, the second support surface 74 isgenerally flat or slightly indented. However, the second support surface74 may have a more elaborate structure, such as a concave portionadapted to support the cord, similar to the support surface 50 on thecord block 16.

Referring to FIG. 1, a tensioning system is shown. The tensioning systemincludes a cord 20 and the tensioning device 10. A first portion 22 ofthe cord is releasably secured in the first wedge opening 12 and asecond portion 24 of the cord is releasably secured in the second wedgeopening 14. A third portion 26 of the cord between the first and secondportions is slidably supported by the support surface of the cord block16.

In one embodiment, the tensioning system includes a tie-down point 32spaced from the body, wherein a fourth portion 28 of the cord passesthrough the tie-down point 32 between the first wedge opening 12 and thesupport surface 50 of the cord block 16. It should be understood thatthe tie-down point is not necessarily a single point. For example, thetensioning device may be used to secure a box to a push cart. A piece ofcord is attached to the top of the cart and runs around the bottom ofthe box. The tensioning device is secured to the portion of cord nearthe top of the cart. In this case, the tie-down is not a single pointbut rather the bottom surface of the box. Further variations of thetie-down configuration are possible.

In one embodiment, the tensioning system includes a loop portion 80 ofthe cord disposed around the neck portion 56. In one embodiment, aportion 82 of the cord is supported by the second support surface 72opposite the first wedge opening 12. Thus, the cord is supported by thesupport surface 72, loops around the neck portion 56, and is secured inthe first wedge opening 12.

In one embodiment, a portion 84 of the cord between the second and thirdportions 24, 26 of the cord is slidably supported by the third supportsurface 74 on the second body portion 54. In one embodiment, the firsthook 62 helps to restrain or prevent the cord from moving off of thecord block 16. In one embodiment, the second portion 24 of the cord isreleasably secured in the second wedge opening 14 by gripping members70. The gripping members 70 push against the surface of the cord to helpsecure it within the second wedge opening 14.

In operation, as explained above, a first portion 22 of the cord isreleasably secured in the first wedge opening 12, as shown in FIG. 3. Inone embodiment, the method of tensioning the cord further includesdisposing a loop portion 80 of the cord around the neck portion 56. Thisallows the tensioning device 10 to be secured to the cord without theneed either to untie the cord from its existing location or to tie thecord to the tensioning device 10 itself. The position of the tensioningdevice 10 on the cord can also be easily adjusted by moving a portion ofthe cord away from the first wedging surfaces or releasing it from thefirst wedge opening 12 and then sliding the tensioning device 10 alongthe cord as the cord slides along the neck 56 and surface 72. In oneembodiment, the loop portion 80 of the cord is inserted through theaperture 76 prior to disposing the loop portion 80 around the neck, andis then passed over the second body portion 54, with a portion of thecord supported by the second support surface 72.

The cord is then passed through a tie-down point 32. In one embodiment,the user pulls the cord tight and engages a portion 24 in the wedgeopening 14 between the wedge surfaces 42, 44. Alternatively, the cord istensioned by pulling on the portion 26 of cord to slide the cord on thesupport surface 50 of the cord block 16, as shown in FIG. 4. In thisaspect, the system functions as a block and tackle, with the cordallowing a 2:1 mechanical advantage. Thus, less strength is required toreach a given tension that would be otherwise required without thetensioning device 10.

A second portion 24 of cord is then releasably secured in the secondwedge opening 14, with the first and second portions 22, 24 of the cordpositioned on opposite sides of the tie-down point 32, as shown inFIG. 1. In one embodiment, the method further includes wrapping the cordaround the cord block 16 and supporting the cord on the third supportsurface 74 on the second body portion 54. In one embodiment, thegripping members 70 push against the second portion 24 of cord to helpto secure it within the second wedge opening 14.

In a further embodiment, a portion of the cord may be disposed throughthe tie-down point 32 a second time after passing over the cord block16. Thus, the cord travels from the tensioning device 10 to a tie-downpoint 32, from the tie-down point 32 to the cord block 16, from the cordblock 16 back again to the tie-down point 32, and then from the tie-downpoint 32 to the user. This configuration creates a 4:1 mechanicaladvantage for the user pulling on the end of the cord, to allow evengreater tensioning of the cord. After the cord is tensioned, the portion24 of the cord is engaged in the wedge opening 14 between the wedgesurfaces 46, 48.

Although the embodiments of the tensioning device are shown as discretepats, it will be apparent that the tensioning device may be incorporatedinto other devices or pieces of equipment.

The embodiments described above and shown herein are illustrative andnot restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claimsrather than by the foregoing description and attached drawings. Theinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. Accordingly, these and any other changeswhich come within the scope of the claims are intended to be embracedtherein.

1. A tensioning device comprising: a pair of opposing first surfacesdefining a first wedge opening, wherein the first surfaces are fixedrelative to each other, wherein the first wedge opening is shaped toreleasably secure a first portion of a cord; a pair of opposing secondsurfaces defining a second wedge opening, wherein the second surfacesare fixed relative to each other, wherein the second wedge opening isspaced apart from the first wedge opening, and wherein the second wedgeopening is shaped to releasably secure a second portion of the cord; anda cord block defining a support surface spaced from the first and secondwedge openings, wherein the support surface is positioned to slidablysupport the cord between the first and second wedge openings; a firstbody portion defining the first wedge opening and a second body portiondefining the second wedge opening, wherein the first and second bodyportions are joined by a neck portion adapted to support the cordbetween the first and second wedge openings, wherein the support surfacecomprises a first support surface, and wherein the first body portionhas a closed aperture defined in part by the first wedge opening andfurther defined in part by a second support surface opposite the firstwedge opening, the second support surface adapted to support the cord.2. The tensioning device of claim 1 wherein the cord block is formed asa hook.
 3. The tensioning device of claim 1 wherein the second bodyportion further comprises the cord block.
 4. The tensioning device ofclaim 3 wherein the cord block is defined by a first hook and the secondwedge opening is defined by a second hook.
 5. The tensioning device ofclaim 4 wherein the first and second hooks are disposed on oppositesides of the second body portion.
 6. The tensioning device of claim 5wherein the first and second hooks have first and second mouths openingin the same direction.
 7. The tensioning device of claim 6 wherein thesupport surface comprises a first support surface and wherein the secondbody portion further comprises a second support surface formed on thesecond body portion and facing a direction opposite the direction of theopening of the first and second mouths.
 8. The tensioning device ofclaim 1 wherein one or both of the opposing second surfaces has grippingmembers formed thereon.
 9. A tensioning system comprising: a cord; and atensioning device comprising: a pair of opposing first surfaces defininga first wedge opening, wherein the first surfaces are fixed relative toeach other; a pair of opposing second surfaces defining a second wedgeopening, wherein the second surfaces are fixed relative to each other,wherein the second wedge opening is spaced apart from the first wedgeopening; and a cord block defining a support surface spaced from thefirst and second wedge openings; wherein a first portion of the cord isreleasably secured in the first wedge opening and a second portion ofthe cord is releasably secured in the second wedge opening, and whereina third portion of the cord between the first and second portions isslidably supported by the support surface of the cord block; and a firstbody portion defining the first wedge opening and a second body portiondefining the second wedge opening, wherein the first and second bodyportions are joined by a neck portion, wherein a loop portion of thecord is disposed around neck portion, wherein the support surfacecomprises a first support surface and wherein the first body portion hasa closed aperture defined in part by the first wedge opening and furtherdefined in part by a second support surface opposite the first wedgeopening, wherein a fourth portion of the cord is supported by the secondsupport surface.
 10. The tensioning system of claim 9 further comprisinga tie-down point spaced from the body, wherein a fourth portion of thecord passes through the tie-down point between the first wedge and thesupport surface of the cord block.
 11. The tensioning system claim 9wherein the cord block is formed on the second block portion and isdefined by a first hook and the second wedge opening is defined by asecond hook, wherein the first and second hooks have first and secondmouths opening in the same direction, and wherein the second bodyportion further comprises a third support surface formed on the secondbody portion and facing a direction opposite the direction of theopening of the first and second mouths, wherein a sixth portion of thecord between the second and third portions of the cord is slidablysupported by the third support surface.
 12. The tensioning system ofclaim 11 wherein the first and second hooks are disposed on oppositesides of the second body portion.
 13. A tensioning device comprising: apair of opposing first surfaces defining a first wedge opening, whereinthe first surfaces are fixed relative to each other, wherein the firstwedge opening is shaped to releasably secure a first portion of a cord;a pair of opposing second surfaces defining a second wedge opening,wherein the second surfaces are fixed relative to each other, whereinthe second wedge opening is spaced apart from the first wedge opening,and wherein the second wedge opening is shaped to releasably secure asecond portion of the cord; a cord block defining a support surfacespaced apart from the first and second wedge openings, wherein thesupport surface is positioned to slidably support the cord between thefirst and second wedge openings; and a first body portion defining thefirst wedge opening and a second body portion defining the second wedgeopening, wherein the first and second body portions are joined by a neckportion adapted to support the cord between the first and second wedgeopenings, wherein the support surface comprises a first support surface,and wherein the first body portion has a closed aperture defined in partby the first wedge opening and further defined in part by a secondsupport surface opposite the first wedge opening, the second supportsurface adapted to support the cord.